I had first shared my views on 3 January 2011 on the Expression of Interest (EOI) tender notification for the Golf course (or courses?) in Goa. There was a revised tender notification for submission of EOI. I had highlighted various issues of concern of the revised EOI notification in my subsequent letter dated 16 October 2012. The first seven paragraphs of this letter had appeared on the Opinion page of the Herald dated 22 November 2012.
I now refer to the front page ADVT of Leading Hotels (refer Herald /May 31, 2015) on the development of their Tiracol luxury resort which can qualify for a US Professional Golf Association (PGA) standard championship course.
It appears that Leading Hotels is excited to provide 24 hours of filtered and fully treated drinking water for their model village of Tiracol. Has the rain water harvesting project plan of Leading Hotels for the Tiracol luxury resort and PGA golf course been approved? Who has approved the rain water harvesting project plans of Leading Hotels? What is the present condition of the traditional drinking water wells which generations of villagers depended on in Tiracol village? Have these existing wells of the villagers been registered and shown on land plans? What will be the impact of the model village Golf Course development master plan on the existing traditional wells in Tiracol village? Do these traditional wells of the local community of Tiracol village find a place in the project master plan drawings of Leading Hotels? These questions need urgent answers.
It is mentioned by Leading Hotels that the project site will not require significant drawal of underground water. The luxury resorts / Golf course projects, NIMZ related mega industrial /SEZ townships and other unsustainable investment projects required for supporting Mopa International Airport are likely to be included in the master plan of Tillari basin development project of the State of Maharashtra, for the water supply requirements.
The Tillari basin development plans for promoting the investment projects near the geographical boundary of Goa are linked to the diversion of Mhadei River and its tributaries. The Mhadei river diversion will not only result in the environmental degradation of eco-sensitive Western Ghats and surrounding region but will also have negative social impacts on the lives and livelihoods of local communities. There is an urgent need to prevent such man-made disasters.
As a concerned citizen, I have appreciated the recent editorials, comments and articles in the Herald on the Tiracol project.
